City and Schools Team Up to Offer After-School Sports Program

Starting this fall, San Bruno Park students will be able to add another athletic option to their list of things to do during the week: after-school sports.

The city and school district are partnering to provide the new program for second- through eighth-graders. Their goal is to open up play for kids at all levels and keep them active throughout the week closer to home.

The city's recreation department already offers sports programs for kids in the school district, and Parkside Intermediate School participates in an area-wide recreation league throughout the school year. But the participation has been declining ever since the student sports programs got moved to City Park, said Recreation Services Manager Danielle Brewer.

The new after-school program will create a more organized league where practices will be held at the schools rather than at the city's recreational facilities at City Park.

"We feel like we will be able to reach more kids this way," Brewer said, "because it's right at the school sites."

Students in second through fifth grade will be in their own league, matched up by school.

In September, the five-on-five flag football league will launch. Practices will be held at 3 p.m. twice a week, and games will be on Friday evenings at City Park. Volunteer coaches will run the teams, and both boys and girls can participate.

As part of the new league, sixth-grade students will now play in the North County Recreation League along with Parkside students, facing schools in South San Francisco, Millbrae, Burlingame and Hillsborough.

Along with flag football, volleyball and cross country will be offered in the fall. San Bruno students in middle school and sixth-grade who don't attend school in the district will also be able to participate.

Flag football registration for second- through eighth-graders is $65 per student. The cost for the middle school sports league is $99 per student. If a parent volunteers to coach a team, their child can play for free. Registration ends Sept. 10.

For more information, call Danielle Brewer at 650-616-7182.